North American Sand Soccer Championships (NASSC)
Current season, competition or edition: 2024 | |
| Classification | Amateur |
|---|---|
| Sport | Beach Soccer |
| Founded | 1992, Virginia Beach, Virginia |
| Founder | Dick Whalen |
| First season | 2001 |
| Owner(s) | The Hampton Roads Soccer Council (HRSC) |
| Director | Lauren Bland |
| Most recent champion(s) | Maryzillians (2024) |
| Most titles | HRSC Elite (4) |
The North American Sand Soccer Championships (NASSC) is an annual beach soccer tournament held in Virginia Beach, Virginia, bringing together teams from across the United States and internationally.[1] The event provides a platform for both amateur and professional beach soccer teams to compete at high levels in various divisions, including men’s, women’s, and youth categories.[2]
A key component of the tournament is the U.S. Open Beach Soccer Championship, a competition that features top teams competing for national titles.[3] The U.S. Open, which became part of the NASSC in 2001, serves as the premier event for beach soccer in the U.S., attracting international participation and offering cash prizes, as well as opportunities for athletes to showcase their skills on the national stage.[4]
History
[edit]The North American Sand Soccer Championships (NASSC) originated in 1992 following a suggestion from an UMBRO USA official to Dick Whalen, a former president of Beach FC, a soccer club in Virginia Beach. At the time, UMBRO had established the U.S. Sand Soccer Federation alongside the development of professional beach soccer tours in Europe and South America.
It is hosted by the Hampton Roads Soccer Council, a non-profit organization. Proceeds from the event benefit the Hampton Roads Soccer Complex, which supports local soccer development and community initiatives.[5] The tournament plays an essential role in funding the complex and promoting soccer in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. Through its success, the NASSC contributes to the growth of soccer at both the recreational, amateur, and competitive levels in the region.[2]
The first organized sand soccer event in Virginia Beach occurred in May 1994 under the name "Beach Soccer Kickout." It featured 26 youth and adult teams playing on six sand fields. The event was co-hosted by Beach FC and the Virginia Beach Rotary Club.[6]
By 2015, the tournament featured over 975 teams competing on 65 fields, attracting nearly 20 states and a diverse range of festival amusements. The event drew a direct player, coach, and fan population of approximately 35,000, with boardwalk spectators totaling over 100,000 over the 2.5-day period.[7][8]
A component of NASSC is the U.S. Open, which began in 2001 with an international exhibition between the beach soccer national teams of the USA and Canada, along with the inaugural "U.S. National Finals" of top men's Pro-Am teams playing for a national title. In 2003, the U.S. National Finals were transformed into the "U.S. OPEN," serving as the national championship.[9]
Over the past two decades, the U.S. Open has welcomed top beach soccer players worldwide. In 2015, FC Barcelona's men's beach soccer team participated in the U.S. Open, as part of a partnership between NASSC and Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW), FIFA's organization for the development of beach soccer, they won the U.S. Open in 2015 and 2017.[10]
The women's beach soccer component of the tournament began to grow as well. The first U.S. National Women's Championship was held in 2003 as part of the inaugural U.S. Open, featuring teams from the USA and Canada. The women's beach soccer division continued to grow, and in 2018,[2] NASSC organized the inaugural Women's U.S. Open, a competition that has continued to expand annually.
The NASSC relies on sponsorships from businesses and organizations to support the tournament. These partnerships help fund the event and provide exposure for sponsors.[11]
U.S. Open Results
[edit]Men's Division Results
[edit]| Year | U.S. Open Champion |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Maryzillians |
| 2023 | Tacoma Stars[12] |
| 2022 | HRSC Elite |
| 2021 | Maryzillians[13] |
| 2019 | The U BSC[14] |
| 2018 | Maryzillians |
| 2017 | FC Barcelona[15] |
| 2016 | Team Pugg[16] |
| 2015 | FC Barcelona |
| 2014 | Team Canada[17] |
| 2013 | HRSC Elite |
| 2012 | Florida Beach Soccer FC[18] |
| 2011 | Florida Beach Soccer FC |
| 2010 | Team Pugg |
| 2009 | FootVolley FC[19] |
| 2008 | HRSC Elite |
| 2007 | Lusitanos SC |
| 2006 | Team Rio |
| 2005 | Team Rio |
| 2004 | Boys From Brazil |
| 2003 | HRSC Elite |
| 2002 | Flamilia |
| 2001 | Flamilia |
Women's Division Results
[edit]| Year | U.S. Open Champion |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Beach Soccer VB Elite |
| 2023 | Beach Soccer LA |
| 2022 | SEVWSA Beach Soccer |
| 2021 | SOaR-CAL |
| 2019 | MD BSC |
References
[edit]- ^ "The Globe's Premier Single-Weekend Sand Soccer Festival". North American Sand Soccer Championships | NASSC. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ a b c "NASSC | The World's Largest Sand Soccer Festival". North American Sand Soccer Championships | NASSC. Retrieved 2024-12-28.
- ^ "30th North American Sand Soccer Championships kicks off at Virginia Beach Oceanfront". News 3 WTKR Norfolk. 2024-06-07. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ Ellsworth, Colby (2024-06-07). "NASSC Recap". AVID Soccer Club. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "NASSC | The World's Largest Sand Soccer Festival". North American Sand Soccer Championships | NASSC. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "Celebrating 30 Years of Sand Soccer History in Virginia Beach". North American Sand Soccer Championships | NASSC. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "Celebrating 30 Years of Sand Soccer History in Virginia Beach". North American Sand Soccer Championships | NASSC. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "Sun, Sand and Soccer". Atlantic Union Bank. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "North American Sand Soccer Championship". www.visitvirginiabeach.com. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "FC Barcelona claims U.S. Open title at North American Sand Soccer Championships". News 3 WTKR Norfolk. 2017-06-12. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "North American Sand Soccer Championship awards underway in Virginia Beach". WAVY.com. 2024-06-09. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "News: STARS WIN NORTH AMERICAN SAND SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP! - Tacoma Stars". www.tacomastars.com. 2023-06-11. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "2018 NORTH AMERICAN SAND SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIPS • SoccerToday". SoccerToday. 2018-06-07. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "Tampa squad captures NASSC title". 13newsnow.com. 2019-06-10. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "FC Barcelona claims U.S. Open title at North American Sand Soccer Championships". News 3 WTKR Norfolk. 2017-06-12. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "NORTH AMERICAN SAND SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIPS • SoccerToday". SoccerToday. 2016-08-05. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "NASSC concludes after successful weekend". Beach Soccer Worldwide. 2014-06-10. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "Major Beach Soccer National Champions Crowned at Clearwater Beach". Clearwater, FL Patch. 2011-12-20. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "Pro Footvolley Tour – #1 Footvolley League in The World". Retrieved 2024-12-30.